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SmartBride Boutique stops by to give our readers some tips and tricks to finding your perfect wedding day jewelry:

Once you’ve chosen your wedding dress, it’s time to complete the look with accessories including your veil, jewelry, clutch, and shoes. When choosing jewelry for your wedding day, it’s important to consider both the overall theme or look you are trying to achieve AND the color, texture, and neckline of your wedding dress. The goal is for your jewelry to complement your dress, reflect your personality and create a visually balanced look.

The ladies over at SmartBride Boutique have you covered! Here are five questions to ask yourself before you choose your wedding day jewelry:

1. What color is your dress? And what colors of gold and silver compliment your skin tone?

Wedding dresses often come in several different shades. Brides are no longer stuck with true white; many designers offer ivory, platinum, and blush wedding dresses. Hopefully you’ve already chosen a dress that compliments your skin tone the best. Now, it’s important to choose white gold, yellow gold, or other colored jewelry based on the tones of your dress and your skin.

2. What’s your style personality?

Are you bold or bashful? Are you comfortable with bold statement pieces or do you prefer simple classic pieces? Once you’ve narrowed this down, it’s time to consider your options based on the neckline of your dress.

3. What type of neckline does your dress have?

Not all necklines can be paired with statement pieces. Your neckline will dictate the weight and visual interest you can add with your jewelry. Remember, you want people to notice your sparkling smile, and then your sparkling jewels, not the other way around! Here are some examples:

Simple necklines like strapless, or scoop necklines are perfect for necklaces of all sizes and styles. Pay attention to the length of your necklace. This bride (above) has it just right!

For high or asymmetric necklines, necklaces can take away from the beauty of the dress. Instead, consider a pair of pretty earrings that don’t compete with your neckline. This beautiful bride opted for earrings instead of a necklace with her Vera Wang Wedding Dress.

This halter wedding dress could be worn with or without a necklace. V-necks and halter gowns can sometimes accommodate a necklace, but it’s best to stick with something light or smaller pendants so your décolleté is not too busy.

If so, take care when picking your jewels. Dresses with intricate detailing around the neckline may call for a simple necklace, or to skip the necklace all together and opt for a great pair of statement earrings with a coordinated bracelet. Adding a necklace might detract from the beauty of a lace wedding dress, like the one above. The old adage “too much of a good thing” applies here. Try balancing textures so you don’t overdo it. If your dress already has beading, opt for something other than pearls. Sparkling embroidery might be best paired with matte finish jewelry. An abundance of ruffles might mean simple, clean lines for jewelry.

5. Is your dress stunningly simple?

Is your dress simple like a sheath (e.g. no intricate bead-work, ruffles, or pleats)? If so, the world is your oyster! A bold, statement necklace can really dress up your gown and pull your look together. Just be careful you don’t over do it. Stick with a flattering combination or necklace, earrings and bracelet. Rings are fun too, but be careful not to take away from the main attraction – your engagement ring!

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Leah and Andrea are masters of the save & splurge mentality when it comes to weddings. Together they run SmartBride Boutique, a free wedding classifieds website helping brides-to-be save on their wedding without sacrificing designer style. Brides save 30-70% off new, sample, and used wedding dresses, jewelry, decorations and more.